Telling Friends and Family - Month 3

Sharing the Good News

This is the best part!!! Now I see why people want to share the news right away! It's so hard to keep it in. And I think for those who do, that's awesome because you have tons of people cheering for you, ready to pray and catch you if anything should happen along the way. It's so much fun to see people's reactions. Every one's is different, of course, but I can't help and smile when people share such kind words with us!!

We gave the blessing to our parents that they could share the news with their friends and family this weekend as long as nobody posted anything on Facebook. I need to get to work first. The calls and texts messages started coming in, which has been really cool. I love to hear the excitement in every one's voices. This is going to be fun!

Karl and I went to church this morning. It's been many many weeks since we've been. It's been hard for me to get up early on Sundays, but for some reason this morning I could do it. And thanks to Pastor Stephanie for sending me a text to make sure I was coming. I needed that extra push! Plus, I knew I had to tell the organist Karen! I was missing her hugs anyway. Karen was pumped and it felt good to get it out. Church always seems to add an extra step of goodness in my whole week. I feel so lucky Karl and I have a place to go that feels a little like home. Like our second family is waiting for us. Where else can someone go and get a hug as soon as they walk through the door? (Thanks John!!!) Today, I feel really good about everything...life...the baby...the future. We need to start showing up more!

I couldn't help but think about baby Koester's baptism and him/her singing in the children's choir and getting his/her Bible blessed. What will he or she participate in? Will he or she be one of those kids who are overly animated up front or will they stand there scared out of their mind? It's fun to think about. I am so so thankful for our church and the people there, and for the sense of community it brings every time we walk through those doors. Instant connection. Love it.

We're headed for a nature walk because it's gorgeous today. I love getting fresh air and just spending time together. Just trying to enjoy every moment and every day because there are always changes coming and there are a lot more about to hit us. Every one keeps hinting that our marriage and relationship will change once baby comes. But instead of worrying about how it'll be, or what could happen, I'm just going to enjoy today and what's going on right now.

Thanks for your excitement!!! It really means a lot.

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Telling My Grandparents and Visiting Parents - Month 3

written Sunday, September 18, 2011
week 9

This week I've been feeling really great. Finally! I'm not sure if it's because I was able to see the ultrasound on Monday and actually see that there was indeed a baby growing inside me and hear from the doctor that it was natural to feel the way I've been feeling, or what? But I really do feel like myself again. Thank you God!!! I was getting pretty worried there.

Wednesday night Karl and I left work (late)...both of us had real bad days but pushed the bull aside, shoved food down, packed and hopped in our car. We didn't leave until 6:40 and I knew that meant we wouldn't get to gpa and gma's until way past their bedtime. Rats. Another day of waiting to tell them our good news. As we pulled up their long driveway, everything was dark. We crawled into bed and couldn't wait to tell them in the morning.

Grandma, me and Grandpa Powalish

Both Karl and I woke up early and realized it was freezing out. I saw on Twitter most of Minnesota tied for a record low and there was frost in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. We walked in the kitchen and got our hugs and I handed grandma an ultrasound picture.

"What is this?" She studies it.

I look at grandpa sitting at the kitchen table and he has a gleam in his eyes. "I'm pregnant." I smile.

"Really?" Grandma squeals and grandpa smiles. She squeezes me and grandpa stands up and walks over to Karl.

"Congratulations you big buck, you."

We laugh and all hug again. The moment is real special and my grandma looks at the picture again. "Oh, Christie. This is great news! Oh! The baby is in a heart! Look!" She points and she's right. The space around baby is definitely shaped as a heart, which only makes me smile bigger.

We sit down and talk more about baby and grandpa cuts in. "I'm shocked!"

I giggle.

"I thought you said you weren't ready?"

"Will I ever be ready?" I ask.

Grandma, Karl and Grandpa Powalish - lots of love there!!!

Throughout the day we talk about it more and have a real nice time. Grandpa tries bribing us to stay longer but we tell them my parents are dying to see us and we have to go home. They can't wait to hear from them on Sunday. We leave around 3:30 to see mom and dad. The trip with gpa and gma was really really special and grandpa mentioned he now has to stick around for sure to see baby born. Yeah! He turns 85 on Thursday.

We arrive to Roscoe and mom and dad are very excited to see us. We show them ultrasound pictures and give them two to hang on their refrigerator. I can tell they are excited - my dad is talking a mile a minute. My mom can't wipe the smile off her face.

So far the trip has been wonderful. Karl's golfed with my dad. I went to the Apple Orchard with my mom. We've cleaned the basement and introduced my parents to Craigslist - how their junk can become someone else's treasures. We've eaten really good. I've gone shopping with mom. This really has been such a great time and I so wish we lived closer. It's so nice to get spoiled like this.  Our baby is going to be one lucky grand baby and great-grand baby!!!

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For the Love of the Game - Month 3

written September 27, 2011
week 11

Why I need Volleyball in my Life


Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden. She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming. See what your baby looks like this week. (info found at http://www.babycenter.com/)

Me! 11 weeks with a bump!!

I haven't worked out in five weeks. Yes, five. Me. As in the gal who used to work out twice a day and run half marathons and play volleyball five days a week. The girl who has a trainer and a whole workout plan and goes ballistic if I miss being active more than two days in a row. I just couldn't do it. My body wouldn't let me. I've been confined to the couch. Okay...well, I go on 35-40 minute walks most nights.

But finally. Yes, finally... I had to play volleyball. Our fall season started in Eden Prairie last night. I was nervous knowing at the moment I'm totally not limber. But I stretched a little and before I knew it I was hitting and serving and jumping...and digging!!!! Every minute that went by I felt more and more like myself. And by the end of the match, I wanted more. I was bouncing everywhere. I haven't felt that good in a long time!!!!!!!! I felt the energy and good vibes racing through my blood.

My legs felt like Jell-O. My back was already sore. I swore I stretched my stomach muscles. But I felt so awesome. By the time I crawled into bed, I was feeling pain but I don't care. I felt like meeeeeeeeee!!! Then I woke up this morning and felt totally like me again!!! I treasure feeling this way. Ahhh. I hope it's here to stay! I love volleyball!!! It's my cure!

"God puts each morning, each new chance of life into our hands as a gift to see what we will do with it."

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Telling Work: Month 3

written October 1, 2011
11 weeks

What will work say?

I'm not sure what my work is going to think when I tell them the news. My thought is they'll be happy for me. But you never know. I'm scared, which I think is normal.

The thing is there aren't many females at my place of employment who can have babies anymore.

Plus, I haven't fully accepted the fact that I am preg. It just seems so surreal to me. So it's hard for me to blurt it out. Twelve weeks is sort of the safe zone.

So with that said, I felt these past few months I needed to prove a lot to myself and to work. I wanted to be able show work that, yes, I could be faced with some major life-changing news and still get projects done. I could still remain focused. I could still manage a team. I wasn't broken or needed to be treated any differently. I didn't need to miss work or leave tons early. I could do it. Yes, the trails of overpowering perfume of some employees knocked me on my butt. The lunch smells killed my stomach at times. And little things did annoy me very easily, but I took deep breaths and kept my head buried in my computer. Yes, there were days I wanted to throw up. Yes, there were mornings I had to dive back into bed in tears. I had no idea how I'd dig past the grossness so I could walk into work for eight hours and act like nothing was wrong. But I survived!!!!! I did it!!! This too shall pass!!!

So on Monday I plan on sitting my boss down and breaking the news. My goal is to take 8-12 weeks maternity leave. 

Thankfully I have been saving just a little bit of each paycheck in an ING account ever since we got back from South Africa almost two years ago to cover my butt. I want to enjoy maternity leave comfortably. I have enough to cover me for eight solid weeks. And I think I'll still be able to continue some freelance work with AOL so I can get some cash flow. Short term really only covers 60% of two weeks because I have to burn through my vacation first. But I will say some of the BEST advice I have ever been given is.... It's not how much you make, it's how much you save. If I never saved, I would've never been able to take maternity leave. And what? I had to give up going out to dinner with Karl once a month or had to turn down a fun night out? It was worth it!!! Now I'll have time to heal and get to know baby!!! Because I have NO IDEA what I'm doing!!!

We'll see what happens!

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Jeans Don't Fit No More No More No More No More - Month 3

written Sunday, September 25, 2011
week 10

Thursday was a monumental day for me. Monday through Thursday I have to wear nice pants to work and then on Fridays I'm finally allowed to wear jeans. Now...not all people in the company follow this rule as most employees wear jeans and sweatshirts Monday through Friday and I'm wondering when I can start wearing my Yoga pants all day every day since I'm not so sure this pants rule is really enforced. Anyway, I was able to slip on my size 6 long black pants from New York and Company just fine on Thursday but by the time I got to work I realized my waistband was cutting off my circulation and I was miserable. I did the unthinkable and unbuttoned my pants and walked around like that the rest of the day. Hey, nobody knew and I sure felt a whole lot better.

Then Friday came. I pulled on my favorite Express Jeans...all $85 of them. They were cutting off my circulation even before I pulled them over my thighs. I think I felt a tear spring to my eye because I know how hard I worked to get into those jeans, but I quickly peeled them off and blamed the dryer. I dug around and found a pair of jeans I hadn't worn for at least a year and slipped those on. They were always my "bigger" jeans. I could barely button them. At least my thighs could breathe though. So I took a hairband and looped in through the button hole and spent my day wondering how much longer I was going to avoid buying maternity clothes?

So yes, soon I'm going to have to take a trip and buy some newer pants or better bands or something. Month four is creeping up so quickly and once that hits, there's not stopping the growing belly. I now get why this all takes nine months. Moms need to mentally adjust and baby needs to grow into this little healthy miracle. This is all just so crazy!!!

Any suggestions for cute maternity clothes?

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About Christie Koester - I've Been Tagged

Getting to know Christie Koester

So I’ve been tagged via Twitter through my critty gal Julie! This is a blogger thing and when you get tagged, you share ten facts about yourself on the blog. I blog all my business on here, so now I have to find ten interesting things I probably haven't shared. This could be tough!!!

Me and my mommy! June 8 at 5:59 p.m. at 10 massive pounds! Ouch!

1. I was born a large 10-pound baby. I was smashed in my mother's womb and came out with a hole in my chest. Medical term: pectus excavatum. As a little girl, I used to lie back in the bathtub and gather all the water in my chest cavity and form a lake. Then I'd close my eyes and pretend there were fish swimming in my hole. Hey, I never said I was normal!

2. I first picked up a volleyball at my best friend Laura's house. We were in the 6th grade. I haven't put it down since. I heart volleyball. I will be playing well into my 80s.

My BFF Laura - without her, I would have never given VB a chance!!

3. I've been going to a chiropractor since I was four or something crazy like that. I have never once broken any bones, had surgery or been in the hospital (other than for tubes in my ears at age 2).

4. I've owned two cars my entire life. My '96 Grand Prix and my '03 Mazda 6. The second week of owning my brand new Mazda 6, I got in my first ever car accident. They fixed it up real nice and that same day I got in my second car accident.

5. I missed one morning of school my entire high school career - that's how much I loved school. I threw up that morning and still made it by lunch. I never skipped one class my four years of college (unless for volleyball games). I love to learn. I love school. I'd do it all over again.

6. I always thought I knew what falling in love felt like, until I met Karl Anthony Koester. I honestly can't get enough of him. I'm so crazy about him it's insane. The wait was totally worth it. I could gobble him up - he's that delicious.

My honey proposed to me at the Murfreesboro, Arkansas diamond mine!!

7. I hiked up Machu Picchu with a few people from church and one of the ladies slipped and broke her leg on a rock. My brother and I had to carry her down on a stretcher...in the rain. I've also been to Italy, Ireland, Greece, St. Lucia, Mexico, South Africa and Netherlands.

Me and my brother Mike in Peru...before the "leg" incident happened!

8.  I live next door to my older brother Mike. I don't really get sick of him either. Kind of weird.

9. I eat lemons and limes like apples. I'm worried I'll ruin my teeth so I try to control myself.

10. I had braces on my pearly whites not once but twice.

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Learning to Let Go and Say No - Month 3

written September 21, 2011
week 10

I think most people who know me see me as this bubbly, energetic person who takes on a million projects at once. I remember having dinner at Olive Garden with my friend Meegan (who I totally admire since she's a mother of FOUR kids) a few months ago. The thing about Meegan's kids...they are probably the most well-behaved kids I've ever met. I keep telling her she needs to be my mentor when the time comes because I have never seen kids like hers. And well, I want kids like that. I don't want the kids who are running wild everywhere, punching and screaming on the top of their lungs. Supernanny anyone?

Anyway, getting back to Meegan. She told me that once I become pregnant I will not be able to do it all. I will have to give up some things - I will have to make sacrifices. At first I looked at her with my superhuman powers and thought... Ha! I'll show her. But, I take that back. I wish I could just say "no" right now to some things. Frankly I'm tired. I just want to work a job and write and raise a family. That's it. Oh, and play volleyball. :) I'm entering a new stage/phase of my life and am ready to focus more on family stuff.

Things I currently have going on/participating in:

1. Full-time job
2. Querying my 320-page book
3. Writing another book
4. In a critique group - critiquing five other women's fiction work (usually 60 pages a time) once a week
5. Blogging (personal - baby, writing and food recipes)
6. Blogging (Star Tribune)
7. Community reporter (KSTP)
8. Weekly reporter/writer for AOL Patch (three articles a week)
9. Writer for Examiner.com
10. Freelance writer/graphic designer (designing website and marketing deliverables for uncle's new invention)
11. Volunteer for Young(er) adult group at church
12. Health Cabinet volunteer at church
13. Sunday greeter at church
14. Organizing dodgeball at church
15. Playing in a volleyball league (playing only one night a week)
16. Work out with a trainer (right now I'm failing miserably since I can't even get to the gym).
17. I'm the 'Member at Large' on our Town Home Association Board

Lots of thoughts and feelings going on in my head right now. Just curious what other people do when they are asked to do something their heart is just not in at the moment? Does the moment present itself to challenge us - something bigger might come from it, or is it more of a test? How does one balance everything???

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